Switch mechanism



June 26, 1951 H. w. ECKER 2,558,240

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 25. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4%/ IllllllllIIIII I Mli.

June 26,. 1951 H. w. ECKER 2,558,240

swIATcH MECHANISM Filed'June 25, 1949 2 sheets-sheet 2 gwuwvbcw" HOWARDW. EGKER Patented June l26, 1951 UNITED STATES^l""ATENT OFFICE SWITCHMECHANISM HowardA W. Ecker, St. Paul, Minn.

Application June 25, 1949, Serial No. 101,400

(Cl. 20o-15.3)

20 Claims. 1

My invention relates tok switch mechanisms and particularly to a switchmechanism whereby a single mechanism may be readily converted into anormally open spring returned switch, a single stroke make and breakswitch or a normally closed spring returned' switch. The object of theinvention resides in providing a switch mechanism constructed as hereindisclosed and having the mode of operation, functions and advantages setforth.

The switch mechanism disclosed in this application for patent consistsof a support and a rockingV contact' closer pivoted for movement about ashaft carried by the support and movable from a contact closing positionto a contact opening position. Also mounted on said shaft is a selectorhaving a spring mountingbetween which and the contact closer a spring isdisposed and which exerts pressure in the direction of the shaft. The

selector may be positioned to cause the spring to be on dead center withrespect to the axis of the shaft'v when` the contact closer is in anintermediate position or saidV selector may be positioned to cause saidspring to urge the contact closer into either its contact closing or itscontactV opening position regardless of the position of the contactcloser. Positioning means operating in conjunction with the selectorserves to hold the selector in any of said positions. The contact closeris moved from one position to the other by means yf of an actuator whichis pivoted relative to the contact closer and which is adapted to beactuated by means of a manual or other operating member carried by thesupport. This actuator is adapted to be moved into two positions andupon actuation when in one position moves the contact closer to Contactclosing position and when in its other position upon actuation moves thecontact closer to contact opening position. Two opposed springs act onthe said actuator and urge the same to an intermediate position. One orthe other of these springs is adapted to be rendered ineffective by alug movable with the selector. This lug is so positined that when theselector is in its intermediate position both springs are effective topermit of the switch functioning as a single strokemake and break switchand when the selector is in one of its extreme positions and the firstnamed spring is in position urging the contact closer into contactclosing position the spring of the two' springs tending to move theactuator into contact` openingy position is ineffective thereby makingof the mechanism a normally closed spring returned switch. The' saidvlug is likewise sof constructed and positioned thatwhen 2, the firstnamed spring is in position, urging the contact closer intoA contactopening position the other spring of the two springs tending to move theactuator into contact closing position is likewise i-neifective thuslmaking of the mechanism a normally open spring returnedY switch.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of aswitch mechanism illustrating an embodiment ofmy inventionwith parts cut away to show the construction of the switchmechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2&2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3 '3 of Fig. 2 and drawnto a greater scale, the parts being arranged for normally closedoperation of the switch- Fig". 4- is a cross sectional view similar toFig. 3 and showing the switch in open position.

Fig. 5 is' a cross sectional' view taken on line 5--5v of Fig. 2 andshowing the' parts arranged as in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the .parts as arrangedl inFig. 4.

Fig. y'7v is' a cross sectional view similar to Fig. Band showing theparts arranged for single stroke make and break action and illustratingthe switch in closed position.

Fig. 8' is a view' similar to Fig. 7 showing the 'arrangement of partsafter'the switchA mechanism has' been depressed.

Fig. 9 is a view similar toFig. 8 showing the parts after the switchmechanism has' been releasedl and illustrating the switch in openposition.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8- showing the switch mechanism ashaving been depressed from the position illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts arranged fornormally open, spring returned action and showing the switch open.

Fig. 12 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 11 showing the switch closed.

Fig. 13 is afragmentary elevational sectional view taken on line |3 l3of Fig. 1..

The inventionl disclosed in this application comprises a at case l0having side walls Il and l2, a rear wall I3 and an sloping front' wallt4. The wall |-4 merges with a top I5V which is' also connected to theother walls. The case is open at the bottoni and is preferablyconstructed of cast iron or some other suitable metalv giving to theentire device' suiiic'ient weight. overlying the front wall Hln and topl5 is a sheet I6 of. friction material by means of which the case may bestepped on and the users foot prevented from slipping off the case. Thecase I is formed with a rabbet I1 which extends completely about thecase.

The invention further comprises a base I8 which is constructed fromsheet metal and which is attached to and overlies a sub base I9. Betweenthe base I8 and sub base I9 is a sheet of rubber 2|. These various partsare secured together by means of rivets 22. The sub base I9 and thesheet of rubber 2l are received within the rabbet II and are attached tothe case Il] by means of screws 23 which are counter sunk in the subbase I9 and are threaded into the wall structure of the case I0.

Mounted on the base i8 is a switch 24 which may be of any suitableconstruction and which is provided with two terminals 25 and 25. Thisswitch has an operating button 21 extending outwardly through the case28 thereof and which is adapted to close the contacts of the switch andcomplete the circuit through terminals 25 and 26 when the said button isforced inwardly into the switch. The button 21 and the contacts of theswitch are spring returned so that the switch is normally open and maybe closed by pressure on the button 21 and upon release of pressurereturns to normally open position. inasmuch as switches of the typeillustrated are well known in the art and since the particularconstruction of the switch forms no feature of the instant invention theswitch has not been shown in detail and will not be described.

The invention utilizes an operating member 30, best shown in Fig. l..This member is constructed from wire U-shaped in form having spaced arms3I and 32 and an elongated cross member 34. Inwardly facing trunnions 35are formed on the ends of the arms 3I and 32 which are rotatablyreceived in bearings 36 extending upwardly from the base I3. Thesetrunnions and bearings form guide means for guiding the cross member 34for up and down movement. The operating member 33 is normally forceddownwardly against the sheet of rubber 2I by means of a leaf spring 31.This leaf spring overlies the cross bar 34 and is disposed between thesheet of rubber 2l and the base IB and is held in place by means of therivets 22. The operating member 39 is operated by means of a pad 33 ofany suitable material such as rubber which is cemented to the sheet 2lor formed integral therewith as desired. The pad of rubber 3B projectsthrough an opening 39 in the sub base I9 and extends appreciably belowthe lowermost surface of the said sub base. Another pad of rubber 4I isattached to the sub base I9 at the end thereof nearest the wall I3 ofcase I9. When the switch mechanism is placed upon the floor the samerests on the pads 4I and 38, the sub base I9 being elevated above thefloor. When pressure is applied by the foot of the user to the sheet Iof friction material the entire case Il] is depressed and the pad 38forced inwardly into the compartment 42 formed within the case Ill. Thesheet of rubber 2l by engagement with the cross bar 34 urges the saidoperating member 30 upwardly against the action of the spring 31 untilit occupies a position such as shown in Fig. 4.

For operating the button 21 of switch 24 and closing the contacts ofsaid switch a contact closer 43 is employed. This contact closer isU-shaped in form having spaced legs 44 and 45 with a connecting portion46 therebetween. A

shaft 41 extends through the said legs 44 and 45 and through bearings 43and 49 bent upwardly from the base I8 and forms therewith pivot meansfor said contact closer. The shaft 41 is disposed near the base I8 andappreciably below the button 21. Formed on the Contact closer 43 is anarm 5I which issues outwardly from the leg 45. This arm is ofappreciable lateral extent and at the uppermost portion of the same isadapted to engage the button 21. When the contact closer 43 is moved ina counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 arm 5I forces thebutton 21 inwardly and closes switch 24. When the contact closer 43 ismoved in the opposite direction the arm 5I leaves the button 21 andpermits the spring within the switch 24 to open the contacts of saidswitch. Movement of the contact closer into contact closing position isterminated by the structure with which the button 21 reacts and servesas a stop. Movement of said contact closer into contact opening positionis terminated by another stop formed by the base I8 which engages acorner 84 of the leg 44 of contact closer 43.

For the purpose of shifting the contact closer 43 to its variouspositions an actuator 52 is employed. This actuator is constructed fromwire and has a shaft-like portion constructed in two sections 53 and 54.The shaft section 54 is journaled in a bearing formed in the leg 45 ofcontact closer 43 while the section 53 is similarly journaled in abearing formed in the leg 44 of said contact closer. This constructionprovides pivot means for the actuator. The shaft section 54 is formedwith an offset 55 which projects upwardly therefrom. The shaft section53 is bent downwardly as designated at 55 and is formed at its lower endwith a foot 51 adapted to engage the cross bar 34 of operating member30. The foot 51 travels in a slot 58 in the leg 44 of contact closer 43the portions of said leg at the ends of said slot serving as stops forlimiting the movement of the actuator with reference to the said contactcloser. The actuator 43 is normally held in an intermediate position bymeans of a hairpin spring 59 which has two reaches lor spring members 3!and 62. These reaches straddle the offset 55 and both operate to movethe actuator toward an intermediate position.

Operating in conjunction with the contact closer 43 is a selector 53.This selector is constructed from sheet metal and is U-shaped in formhaving spaced parallel flanges G4 and 65 and a web 66 connectedtherewith. The shaft 41 extends through the flanges 64 and 65 and whichserve as guide means for guiding the said selector for swinging movementabout the axis of said shaft. A compression coil spring 61 encircles theshaflI 41 and is seated at one end against the bearing 43 and its otherend against the flange 64 and urges the iiange 65 toward the leg 45 ofthe contact closer 43. Acting between the selector 63 and the contactcloser 43 is a spring 53, as shown in Fig. 1. This spring has a loop 69with two arms 1I and 12 extending outwardly therefrom. The arm 1I ishooked into the opening 13 formed in the leg 44 of contact closer 43while the arm 12 passes through openings 14 in the flanges 64 and 55 ofthe selector G3. The openings 13 and 14 are so located that when theselector 63 is in the position shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 the springG8 urges the contact closer 43 into contact closing position. When theselector 63 is in the position shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the said springasesino urges. the. contact closer intol contact opening positionregardless of the position of said closer. When, however.. the selector6,3 is inthey position shown in. Figs. '7 tov l0 the: springk 68 mayurge the contact closer intov either opening or closing position.depending upon ther original: position of said contact closer.

The selector G3 has a latch l5 formed on the web 65 thereof and whichprojects outwardly therefrom. This latchis adapted to cooperate with apositioning device indicated at 16. This device is formed by bending upafiange. Tl. from the base i8 and. which extends. parallel' to the shaft41. The said flange has. inthe endlk off' the same three notches '18, 18and 8i) and intov which the latch 'l5 may project, The spring` 61 isadapted to urge the selector 63 toward the positioning device to. causelatch 15 to engage any of these notches and when disposed in saidnotches serves as locking means for holding. the selector positioned` inone of the three positions noted' in Figs. 3, 7 and 11.

The ange 65 of the selector 63 has formed in. the same a groove 82through which the reaches 6I and 62 of spring 59 project and in which.the said reaches may travel. In this groove is. formed a lug S3 which.is straddled by the said reaches. When the selector is in the positionshown in Fig. 3 lug `83. engages the reach 52y and moves the same awayfrom the offset portion 55 of actuatorv 52 and transfers control of saidactuator. to the reach 5i of said spring. When the selector is in theposition shown in Figs. 7 to` 9 the actuator may be operated by eitherspring. When the selector is in the position shown in Figs. 11 and 12.control of the. actuator is transferred to the reach 62 of thesame.

lVIy invention operates in thev following. mam ne; Assume that theselector 63 is arranged as shown in Figs; 3, 4, 5 and 6 and that theswitch mechanism is in normal position as shown in Fig; 3. In thisposition latch 'l5 is in notch 80 of positioning device i6. 1t will benoted that the lug 83 of selector G3 has moved the reach |82 of spring59 away from the actuator52. Reach 6l engages the offset 55 of saidactuator and moves it toward thel lefthand end of slot 58 as viewed inFig. 3. The flange 54 of the. selector 53 being lowermost spring t8l isso disposed that iti urges the contact, closer 43 in a counter clockrwise direction bringing the arm 5i. of saldi cont-act closer intoengagement with the button 21 and closing the switch 24. The switch isnow normally in closed position. If pressure is applied to the pad 33 bystepping. on the case Il), the said pad moves inwardly into thecompartment 42 and raises the cross bar 3Q of the operating member 3c'.This causes the contact. closer 43 to move in a clockwise direction andto swing the arm 5i out of engagement with the button 2l through thespring in switch 24. The Switch 24. now opens. The various positions ofthe arm 5I with reference to button 21 are best' shown in Figs. 5 and 5.Inasmuch as the opening L3 in the position shown in Fig. 4 is still`above the line connecting the opening 'ifi and the axis of the shaftIl?, the said spring still tends to urge the Contact closer for movementinA :a counter clockwise direction. Upon release of pressure on the caseiii the parts through the `action of the spring 68 return to normalposition.

When the selector S3 is moved to the position shown in Figs. ll and l2with latch l5 disposed in slot Sf of the positioningA device '15, thel'ug 83 engages the reachA 6l of. spring 59- and: shifts '6 the same outof. engagement with the offset 55 of actuator 52. The openingr 13; inleg 4:4'of. con.- tact closer t3 is now below a line. connecting theopening Mi inthe flange' (illA of selector 6 3 and the axisA of. `shaft4l'. This urges the contact closer 43 for movement in a clockwisedirection, the said movement being limited when the corner 34 of the legil of said contact closer engages the base is. Reach 6:5 of spring 59being now ineifective the reach t2 forces the actuator 525 for movementin a counter clockwise direc tion bringing the foot 5l' of said actuatortoward the righthand end of the slot 58. The switch 24 is thus;maintained` in normally open position. When the case lev is againstepped on pad 38 is forcedv inwardlyy and the actuator 52 moves thecontact closer d3 in a counter clockwise direction. Thisv closes the.switchv 2d. Upon release of pressure on the case Iii' the parts arereturned to normal position bymeans of spring 6B and the spring in theswitch 24 opens the contacts of theswitch.

Whenv the selector 63 is moved to its intermediate position by directingthe latch 'l5 into notch i9 the. parts become arranged as shown in. Fig.'7. Lug 83 in this case shifts the reach t2 of spring 59 out ofengagement with the 01T- set of actuator 52. The. opening 1.3 in leg 44'of con-'tact closer #i3 is slightly above a line connecting the openingle of flange 64 and the a-xis cfshaft fil. The spring |66 hence urgesthe contact closer 43 for movement in counter clockwise direc-tion andcloses switch 24'. When the case it. is stepped on pad 38 is movedinwardly into` the compartment t2 and theA cross bar 34 of thevoperating member 30 is raised. This cross bar engaging the foot 57 ofactuator 52 swings the contact closer `t3 in a clockwise direction.Opening 'i3' is now disposed at alocality below the said line and thevspring @8 urges the contact closer for clockwise movementand maintainsit in lthe position shown in Fig. 8. At the same time the.4 reach S2 ofspring 59 has been. forced to the right as shown in. Fig.. 8-. Uponremoval of pressure on the case. lit the reach 62 of spring 59 moves theactuator 52 with reference to the contact closer 13 sovthat the footv.of said contact closer reaches the righthand end of the slot 5B asLshown in Fig. 9. A second depression of the; case l'y swings the contactcloser '43: to the left and shifts the parts to the position shown inFig. l0. This closes switch 2li and spring 68 maintains the switch inclosing position. Upon release` of pressure on the case l actuator 52isforced by means of the reach 6IVv back into-the position shown in Fig.'7. It will'` thus be seen that` with the parts disposed as illustratedin Figs. 'l to l-O that single stroke, namely pressure on the case il),will cause the switch to be alternately'opened and closed.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. My improved switchconstruction can be readily adjusted to-procure a normally opened springreturned switch, a single stroke makeand break switch, or a normallyclosed spring returned switch. The invention can be constructed at aneconomical expense. Mv switch mechanism is particularly adapted: to beused for foot operation. With my switch mechanism the entire switch maybe.I enclosed thereby preventing dirt and foreign: material fromentering theV same. In my switch mechanism fire hazard is reduced to a;Yminimum. and. no possibility of shock exists.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, asherein described;v maybemade with-in the'scope of what is claimed without departing from thespirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

l. In a switch mechanism, a support, an operating member, guide meansacting between said support and operating member for guiding saidoperating member for movement in a certain direction, a rocking contactcloser, pivot means acting between said support and contact closer andguiding said contact closer for rocking movement about an axistransverse to the direction of movement or" said operating member, saidaxis lying in a plane parallel to the direction of movement of saidoperating member, stops between said contact closer and support andlimiting movement of said contact closer to contact closing and openingpositions, an actuator for said contact closer carried thereby, pivotmeans for said actuator guiding said actuator for swinging movementabout an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot means for the contactcloser and disposed on one side of said axis, the axis of said actuatorbeing movable from one side to the other of said plane upon movement ofthe contact closer from contact opening to contact closing position. anengaging member on said actuator engageable with said operating memberand adapted to be moved to either side of said plane upon swinging ofsaid actuator, stops between said contact closer and actuator andlimiting movement of said actuator to positions in which said engagingmember engages the operating member on either side of said plane, saidoperating member when both said engaging member and the axis of saidactuator are on one side of said plane urging rocking movement of thecontact closer in a direction to shift said axis to the other side ofsaid plane, resilient means for urging said engaging m-ember to the sameside of said plane as the axis of the pivot means for said actuatorcomes to rest in and resilient means for urging said contact closer toone or the other of its positions.

2. A switch structure as recited in claim 1 in which the last namedresilient means is shiftable to cause said contact closer to recurringlyreturn to either contact closing or contact opening position.

3. A switch structure as recited in claim 1 in which the last namedresilient means is mounted for over center action to alternately urgesaid contact closer into opposite positions.

4. A switch structure as recited in claim 1 in which a spring mountingis employed together with pivot means therefor having its axis coaxialwith respect to the axis of the pivot means for the contact closer andpivotally supporting the last named resilient means for engagement withthe contact closer at a locality shiftable into alignment with the axisof the pivot means for the contact closer and for the resilient meanswith respect to said mounting or to either side of its position ofalignment.

5. In a switch mechanism, a base, an operating lever pivoted to saidbase and having vertical movement, a rocking contact closer, a shaft forpivoting said contact closer for rocking movement relative to said base,the axis of said shaft being substantially horizontal, stops betweensaid contact closer and base limiting movement of said contact closer tocontact closing and opening positions, an actuator for said contactcloser comprising a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the contactcloser, the axis of said shaft being parallel to the axis of said firstnamed shaft 8 and disposed above said first named shaft, said secondnamed shaft being positioned to be moved from one side to the other of avertical plane passing through the axis of said first named shaft, anengaging arm on said actuator disposed below said first named shaft andadapted to be engaged by said lever, resilient means acting between saidactuator and contact closer and controlling the relative position ofsaid actuator with respect to said contact closer, and other resilientmeans acting between said contact closer and a part carried by said baseand controlling the disposition of said contact closer with reference tosaid plane.

6. In a switch mechanism, a base, an operating lever pivoted to saidbase and having vertical movement, a rocking contact closer, a shaft forpivoting said contact closer for rocking movement relative to said base,the axis of said shaft being substantially horizontal, stops betweensaid contact closer and base limiting movement of said contact closer tocontact closing and opening positions, an actuator for said contactcloser comprising a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to the contactcloser, the axis of said shaft being parallel to the axis of asid firstnamed shaft and disposed above said first named shaft, said second namedshaft being positioned to be moved from one side to the other of avertical plane passing through the axis of said iirst named shaft, anengaging arm on said actuator disposed beiow said first named shaft andadapted to be engaged by said lever, resilient means acting between saidactuator and contact closer and controlling the relative position ofsaid actuator with respect to said Contact closer, and other resilientmeans acting between said contact closer and a part carried by said baseand controlling the disposition of said contact closer with reference tosaid plane and a shiftable support for said last named resilient meansshiftable to cause said resilient means to urge said contact closer intoeither contact closing or contact opening position.

7. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer movable from contact closingto contact opening position, a spring for urging movement of saidcontact closer, and a selector for shifting said spring to urge movementof said contact closer into one or the other of said positions.

8. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, pivot means therefor, Stopmeans for limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closingand opening positions, a spring mounting, a spring carried thereby andengaging said contact closer outwardly of the axis thereof, guide meansfor guiding the portion of said mounting engaged by the spring in acircumferential direction and positioning means for holding said springmounting in a central position in which force is exerted on said contactcloser by the spring in a radial direction when the contact closer is inan intermediate position, and for holding said spring mounting inextreme positions in which the contact closer is urged into eithercontact closing or opening positions regardless of the position of saidcontact closer.

9. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, pivot means therefor, stopmeans for limiting movement of said contact closer to contact closingand opening positions, a spring mounting, a spring carried thereby andengaging said contact closer outwardly of the axis thereof, pivot meansfor said mounting having its axis coaxial with respect to the axis ofsaid contact closer and positioning means for holding said spring 9mounting in a centr-al position "in which force lis exerted on saidcontact Vcloser by the spring in a radial direction when the vcontactcloser is in an inter-mediate position, and for holding 'said springmounting in extreme positions iin which the contact closer fis urgedinto either contact closing or opening positions regardless of theposition of said contact closer.

10. In a switch mechanism, a support, -a rocking contact closer, a shaftcarried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rockingmovement, stop means for limiting movement of 'sa-id contact closer -to-contact closing and opening positions, a springV mounting pivotally andslidably mounted on said shaft, a lspring acting between 'said mountingand Contact closer `and exerting pressure on said contact closer in adirection toward said shaft, Ydisengageable positioning means actingbetween said mounting Aand support and 'disengageable upon axialmovement of said mounting, said positioning means being Aadapted to holdsaid mounting in a position in which the spring exerts pressure 'in adead center direction with reference `to said shaft when said contactcloser is in an 'intermediate position or in a lposition in which thespring urges the contact closer toward contact closing positionregardless of the position of said contact closer or in a position inwhich the spring urges the Contact closer toward Contact openingposition regardless of the position of the 'contact closer.

11. In a switch mechanism, a. support, a rocking contact closer, a shaftcarried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rockingmovement, stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer tocontact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting p-ivotally andslidably mounted on said shaft, a spring acting between said mountingand contact closer and exerting pressure on said contact closer in adirection toward said shaft, a latch on said mounting, a positioningmember on said support ,and having notches therein open for the endivisereception of said latch, said notches being spaced circumferentially andresilient means for urging said latch into said notches.

12. In a switch mechanism, a support, a rocking contact closer, a shaftcarried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rockingmovement, stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer tocontact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting pivotally andslidably mounted on said shaft, a spring acting between said mountingand contact closer and exerting pressure on said Contact closer in adirection toward said shaft, a latch on said mounting, a flange on saidsupport and extending parallel to the axis thereof, said flange havingan end disposed in a diametral plane and formed with notches for theendwise reception of said latch, said notches being spacedcircumferentially and locking means for holding said latch Within any ofsaid notches.

13. In a switch mechanism, a support, a rocking contact closer, a shaftcarried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rockingmovement, stop means for limiting movement of said contact closer tocontact closing and opening positions, a spring mounting pivotally andslidably mounted on said shaft, a spring acting between said mountingand contact closer and exerting pressure on said contact closer in adirection toward said shaft, a latch on said mounting, a flange on saidsupport and extending parallel to the axis thereof, said flange havingan end disposed fin a diametralplane and formed with notches for theendwise reception of said latch, lsaid notches `being Yspacedcircumferentially and fa compression coil spring on said shaft andengaging said support and said mounting .and urgling said latch intosaid notches.

14. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, movable from contactclosing to contact opening position, an actuator for said contactcloser, guide means for guiding said actuator for movement in oppositedirections, said actuator when moved in one direction moving saidcontactcloser into contact closing position and when moved in the oppositedirection moving said contact closer into contact opening position,resilient means for biasing saidactuator for movement in eitherdirection `from an intermediate position, and a selector for varying thebias of said resilient means to cause movement of said actuator ineither direction.

15. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer,

I `movable from contact closing to contact opening position, an actuatorfor said contact closer, guide means for guiding said actuator formovement Yin vopposite directions, said actuator when moved in onedirection moving said contact closer into lcon-tact closing position andwhen moved in Vthe `apposite direction moving said contact closer intocontact opening position, two opposed spring members acting on saidactuator and moving said actuator to an intermediate position, and aselector for rendering either of said springs ineffective to transfercontrol of said actuator to the other spring.

16. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, movable from contactclosing to contact opening position, an actuator for said contactcloser, guide `means for guiding said actuator for movement ineffectiveto transfer control of said actuatorv to the other spring.

17. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, movable from contactclosing to contact opening position, an actuator for said contactcloser, guide means for guiding said actuator for movement in oppositedirections, said actuator when moved in one direction moving saidcontact closer into` contact closing position and when moved intheopposite direction moving said contact closer into contact openingposition, two spaced elongated spring members acting on said actuator onopposite sides thereof and flexed to move said actuator toward anintermediate position, and a selector having a lug disposed between saidsprings, guide means for guiding the lug on said selector for movementin the direction of movement of said springs whereby either of saidsprings may be further exed to render said spring ineffective andtransfer control of the actuator to the other spring.

18. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer movable from contact closingto contact opening position, a spring for urging movement of saidcontact closer, a selector for shifting said spring to urge movement ofsaid contact closer into one or the other of said positions, an actuatorfor said contact closer guide means for guiding said actuator formovement in opposite directions said actuator when moved in onedirection moving said contact closer into contact closing position andwhen moved in the opposite direction moving said contact closer intocontact opening position, two opposed spring members acting on saidactuator and moving said actuator to an intermediate position and meanson said selector for rendering either of said last named springsineffective upon the shiftingof the rst named spring.

19. In a switch mechanism, a support, a rocking contact closer, a shaftcarried by said support for pivoting said contact closer for rockingmovement, said contact closer being movable from a contact closingposition to a contact opening position, an actuator movable relative tosaid contact closer and adapted to occupy two positions, said actuatorupon actuation when in one position moving said contact closer intocontact closing position and when in its other position upon actuationmoving said contact closer into contact opening position, a selectormounted for swinging on said shaft and including a spring mounting, aspring acting between said mounting and contact closer and exertingpressure in a direction toward said shaft, said selector being movableto either of two extreme positions and when in one of said positionspositioning said spring to urge movement of the contact closer intocontact closing position and when in its other position positioning saidspring to urge movement of said CTI contact closer into contact openingposition, two opposed spring members acting on said actuator and movingsaid actuator to an intermediate position and means on said selectorengageable with said last named springs and operable upon movement ofsaid actuator to either of its positions to render one or the other ofsaid last named springs ineffective.

20. In a switch mechanism, a contact closer, guide means for guidingsaid contact closer for movement to contact closing or contact openingposition, a selector, guide means for guiding said selector for movementin a predetermined direction and for movement from one extreme positionto another, a spring acting between said contact closer and selector andwhen the selector is in one extreme position urging said contact closerinto contact closing position and when in its other extreme positionurging said contact closer into contact opening position and lockingmeans for holding said selector in either of said positions.

HOWARD W. ECKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,289,108 Eaton July 7, 19422,468,673 Kaminky Apr. 26, 1949

